Friday, December 14, 2012

St. Nicholas Excerpt from "The Shapeshifters Library"

The Shapeshifters' Library Book 1

Released

The St. Nicholas Eve Excerpt

Gregory and Liberty
paraded back into the rotunda and on to the entrance to the Children’s Room.
Children in pinafores and breeches clustered around Bliss in her shimmering
princess dress. The children turned, saw Gregory, and little voices called,
“St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas.”

Gregory placed his
hand on Liberty’s waist and escorted her to the middle of the room. “Children,
this is Lady Liberty.”

Children cheered and
tiny hands clapped. “Lady. Lady.”

Gregory whispered to
Liberty, “Say something.”

“Welcome children.
To the library. On St. Nicholas Eve.”

The quartet’s violin
player fiddled a merry tune, as a huge Newfoundland in a silver-studded harness
pulled a cart to the doorway.

Gregory smiled. “And
now, it’s time for presents.”

The children
cheered. The dog lumbered in and small hands reached out to pat the gentle
giant who, compared to the toddlers, appeared as large as a draft horse.
Gregory stepped to the cart. “Stand back.” The children obeyed. “Now, one at a
time.” He reached into the cart and took out a small toy horse and beckoned to
a little girl in a crisp petticoat. She skipped forward to receive her painted
wooden horse and a large orange. Liberty selected a book from the cart for the
girl, who skipped off to show her friends.

Bouncing in stiff,
shiny shoes, children waited their turns. Next a boy was given a miniature dog
and cart. He held it high for all to see, then accepted his book. One by one,
each child received a small toy, an orange, and a book. Every child seemed more
thrilled with simple wood animals than if they’d received the latest electronic
wonders. The entire scene was reminiscent of another more charming century.

When all the
children had received gifts, the fiddler announced, “Time for St. Nicholas to
leave,” and the children let out a collective, “Ah.”

Gregory reached one
more time into the cart and presented a wrapped gift to Bliss. “Dear lady, for
your kind ministrations to the children.” Bliss curtsied.

As children raced
past to show toys to parents and grandparents, Gregory took Liberty’s arm. No
longer the center of attention, the couple walked to the rotunda. Sparkling
lights reflected like stars on the glass dome above.

“I cannot stay,”
Gregory said softly. “I’m tired.”

Liberty nodded.
“Thank you for making this night so beautiful.”

“Shipsfeather always
celebrated St. Nicholas Eve like this. I am grateful your library made it
possible once again. Now you see why this town and people are so special.”

“Where did the
children’s gifts come from?” She looked around. “And where is the dog cart …
and the music? This was the most magical night of the year.”

He laughed. “Ah, now
you want magic explained. Tonight is only the beginning of the Season. The true
magic will happen on the night of the Winter Solstice.”

“What could be more
beautiful and amazing than tonight?”

“Nothing could be as
amazing and beautiful as you. You are a most good and wonderful woman, Liberty
Cutter, my Mistress of the Fete.” He leaned down and kissed her lips. A tender
kiss tasting of cinnamon and warmed cider. Straightening, his eyes held her
gaze.

“Tonight,” she
whispered, “I feel like a princess.”

“You are a princess.
My princess, dear one.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “Sweet Liberty.” He
slid his hand into his jacket pocket. Holding her left hand, he slipped a ring
onto her finger. “Forever, my princess, my love.”

She gasped as warm
gold encircled her finger. She looked down at the intricately carved band. When
she looked up, he was gone. Over the music and laughter, she heard the sound of
boots descending the stairs.